Less than a week after the company said it would close at least 32 of its 39 locations, Lucky's Market filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

Prior to the filing the company identified several potential purchasers, including Aldi, which entered into an asset purchase agreement for certain store leases. Publix has been reported as another company acquiring Lucky's locations. "Each of the potential purchasers has indicated interest in different assets," according to the filing. 

Lucky's is also finalizing the terms of a sale of the seven operating stores in addition to a separate sale for other store locations.

According to the bankruptcy filing, Lucky's has approximately $15 million of cash and cash equivalents and its assets consist of approximately $425 million on an aggregate basis. Its aggregate liabilities as of the petition date are approximately $600 million.

"We are sad to say the rumors are true. We’re closing many of our stores and couldn’t be more upset to be leaving so many communities who have supported us for years," the company said in a statement. "What we built with you, our loyal customers, was not in vain. You helped contribute to our mission: Good Food For All. We appreciate the many shopping trips you put in and pints of beer you drank in our stores."

In December Kroger decided to divest its interest in Lucky's Market. "The amount of investment that it would take for Lucky’s to be a meaningful contributor to Kroger overall and the efforts that it would take, we just didn’t think it created a good return for the investments," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen said at the time. 

Jason (Bo) and Trish Sharon opened the first Lucky’s Market in 2003 and the company is based in Niwot, CO. The former chefs with restaurant backgrounds started their first store by acquiring and renovating a grocery store known as the North Boulder Market. After operating their first store for 10 years, the company then opened a second store. By April 2016, the company was operating 17 stores in 11 states. In April 2016, The Kroger Co. acquired a membership interest in the company, which expanded to 20 stores by the end of 2016, 26 stores by the end of 2017, 33 stores by the end of 2018, and 39 stores across 10 states by the end of 2019